"I understand, I'll go make arrangements immediately!"
After Chun Tao agreed, she walked directly towards the front courtyard, while Han Mo went straight into the study.
The study in this courtyard was naturally no match for Han Jiayan's study. However, various furnishings were all complete.
"Master Han, we meet again!"
Han Mo smiled and said casually.
"Seeing that Master is full of spring breeze, I suppose Master has come to deliver good news today!"
Looking at the old monk's glum face, Han Mo deliberately said with a smile.
"Full of spring breeze? Master Han truly has a way with words. Your actions today have caused us tremendous losses!"
Upon hearing Han Mo's words, the old monk couldn't help but sneer.
"So, Master, you're not here to accuse me, are you?"
Han Mo retorted with a cold smile.
"How can I ensure that this official stays out of this matter?"
Since only the two of them were present, the old monk spoke very directly, without any beating around the bush, and asked Han Mo straight away.
"Master, you truly are an astute person. When speaking to wise men, there's no need for veiled words. How about this, Master contributes five million guan to aid the treasury, and from then on, we shall stay out of each other's way?"
After pouring the old monk a cup of tea, Han Mo said with a smile.
"Young Master Han, you truly are asking for the moon! Five million guan! Buddhist monasteries are places of austerity; I fear we cannot afford that much!"
The old monk was furious, almost to the point of exploding. While he had come prepared to be fleeced tonight, Han Mo's demands were simply too exorbitant.
Even though this money wasn't his alone, the Buddhist sect had accumulated it painstakingly, coin by coin.
They indeed owned many properties and lands, but the truth was, no one's money was gotten through effortless means.
To produce five million guan at once, let alone his disciples, he himself couldn't even agree to it.
"Since that is the case, then I would like to hear how much you are willing to offer to silence me, Master?"
"One hundred thousand guan. This is the absolute limit I can manage! I can convert these 100,000 copper coins directly into gold, and if Young Master agrees, I can have them sent to your residence immediately. Moreover, I guarantee that this matter will be known only to heaven, earth, you, and me, and it will never be mentioned again!"
Biting his lip, the old monk said directly.
"Master, I must say, this is treating me like a fool! Do you think Han Mo looks like someone who is short of money?"
Han Mo rolled his eyes so hard they almost touched the sky. This old fellow was truly treating him like a three-year-old child.
If he were to accept this money, it was likely that the moment he did, someone would immediately use it to make a big fuss.
By then, if his reputation was ruined, it would be much harder for him to accomplish anything.
"Young Master Han, I know you were born in Bianliang and likely have a good impression of these Taoists. Furthermore, you have had dealings with Master Yuan Miao before. However, you must open your eyes and see what these Taoists of the Shenxiao Sect are doing out there!"
Seeing that Han Mo remained unmoved, the old monk decided to play the emotional card again. However, trying such petty tricks in front of Han Mo was simply not enough to impress him.
"Master, we are both reasonable people, so let's dispense with these little tricks. Four million five hundred thousand guan, and that is my absolute limit!"
"Young Master, born into a wealthy family, you naturally do not understand the suffering of the common people. Do you truly believe that this wealth was all acquired through force by the Buddhist sect? You likely do not know that a significant portion of the offerings received by the Buddhist sect comes from monks who travel the land barefoot, collecting alms from the common folk, coin by coin! One million guan, along with the latter half of the novel, is the wealth that countless Buddhist disciples would have to toil for decades to accumulate!"
As the old monk spoke, his eyes even welled up slightly.
Looking at Han Mo again, the indignation in his eyes was almost palpable.
"Master, your words are quite unfair. Although I, Han Mo, hail from the Han clan of Xiangzhou, my father was merely a collateral descendant. When I was young, I lived under others' roofs. How can you say I do not understand the suffering of the common people? Four million guan is the lowest I can go!"
As Han Mo spoke, the smile on his face also disappeared.
"While the Buddhist sect has indeed accumulated some wealth over the years, this money also needs to support Buddhist disciples across the land. Young Master, you only see the prosperity of the Daxiangguo Temple, but what about those temples in the deep mountains? Those monks, throughout the year, truly struggle to have enough to eat and wear! One million five hundred thousand guan, and that's the most I can offer!"
As the old monk spoke, he actually managed to squeeze out two tears from the corner of his eye. At this, Han Mo felt utterly disgusted. This fellow was truly repulsive.
"At least they have a stable meal. But Master, do you know that at this critical time of national distress, the court cannot even raise funds to quell the rebellion? Look at Bianliang city now, the price of rice is soaring. Ordinary people at this moment likely cannot even afford to eat. Coupled with the heavy rain today, Master, don't you feel heartbroken?"
"All sentient beings suffer, but alas, the Buddhist sect itself is in peril now!"
The old monk started to cry loudly at this point.
Watching his tearful display, Han Mo couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.
"Master, alleviating the suffering of the people also requires money and provisions. Four million guan truly cannot be any less. If you haggle any further, I will go find Lin Ling Su!"
Seeing the old monk crying and sniveling, Han Mo could no longer bear it. He forcefully slammed the table in front of him and stood up.
"Three million guan. From now on, this official is forbidden from intervening in the disputes between the two religions, nor are you allowed to advise Lin Ling Su behind his back!"
The old monk gritted his teeth decisively and slammed the table, stating.
"Deal!"
Han Mo spoke while extending his left hand.
"I have one more condition. If the Buddhist sect is targeted because of this money, this official cannot stand idly by!"
The old monk hadn't expected Han Mo to be so difficult. Today, he had already discarded his pride, yet this fellow remained stubbornly unyielding.
"Master, do you think too highly of me? I am merely a minor county magistrate. Even if I wanted to help you, I would be powerless!"
A mere three million guan, and he expected Han Mo to exert himself for them?
Han Mo simply threw the old monk a blank stare.